Location Scout: Aba-TeachDiscoverChina

Location Scout: Aba

21 Aug 2023

If you know Sichuan, you’ll know Chengdu, but do you know Aba? We have a university college position open in this location each year so let’s find out.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the huge modern cities and urban concrete jungles, in northwestern Sichuan, lies Aba (Ngawa) Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture – a beautiful place for those searching for awe-inspiring natural landscapes and more unique elements of Chinese culture.

Located on the edge of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, Aba is next to Qinghai and Gansu Province in the north, adjacent to Chengdu, Mianyan and Deyang in the southeast, and bordering Ya’an in the south and Garze in the west. With an average altitude of 3,000 meters, Aba covers an vast area of 84,242 square meters (an astonishing 32,526 square miles), consisting of vast grasslands, towering snow mountains, patterns of crisscrossing flowing rivers that make up its natural scenery. With an ecosystem of rare animals and plants not found in other parts of the world e.g. the giant pandas and dove trees, Aba is recognized by world tourism experts as one of the best ecotourism destinations in the world.

With 12 counties and a population of 946,000, Aba’s people comprises mostly as it’s full name suggests, of Tibetan and Qiang ethnic Chinese. Of course there are also Han Chinese and other ethnic minorities but Aba is a place to go to get a fascinating glimpse of Tibetan and Qiang ethnic customs and culture seldom seen in urban China, attracting tourists from all over the country and around the world.

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Let’s go through some of the best-known attractions in Aba

1.Jiuzhaigou九寨沟

One of the gems of China and star attraction of Aba is the Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park. One of Aba’s many UNESCO World Hertiage sites and a wonderland of magnificent dereamlike natural scenery unmatched on Earth. It was named after the nine Tibetan villages in the valley and is located in the northwestern part of Jiuzhaigou county of Aba. The scenic area covers 72,000 hectares and reaches up to height of more than 4,800 meters. All tourists who have visited the valley have fallen under the spell of its captivating views and breathtaking landscapes, splendid waterfalls, crystal clear blue lakes and alpine valleys, and have been charmed by the Tibetan and Qiang folk customs. Not too far away is another UNESCO World Heritage site in the Huanglong Scenic and Historical Area in Songpan County, just 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Jiuzhaigou. It’s another popular tourist site known for its layered travertine pools of calcium deposits, colourful lakes, snow-capped peaks and diverse forests. The two make a great double header of travelling in Aba.

2. Mount Siguniang四姑娘山

The second highest peak in Western China belongs to Mount Siguniang and on a clear day, you can see the backdrop of the great mountains as far as Chengdu from an elevated view. Although its majestic presence looms over the city, it is still 220 kilometers (136 miles) from Chengdu and takes about 5-6 hours to reach by bus. The mountain is located on the border of Xiaojin County and Wenchuan County in Aba, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is the largest scenic area in Aba featuring one mountain – Mount Siguniang and three valleys - Two-Bridge (Shuangqiao) Valley, Long-Peace (Changping) Valley, and Alpine-Lake (Haizi) Valley. The name of the mountain literally translates as the ‘Four Sisters/Maidens’ Mountains because of its four peaks and as according to Tibetan legend the four peaks are the embodiment of four pretty girls. The highest peak, Yaomei Feng, known as the ‘Queen of Sichuan’s peaks” is a massive 6250 metres tall. However tourists will usually trek to the top of Dafeng, the oldest peak of the four sisters, where spectacular views await at the summit. This is a must-visit place for mountain climbing enthusiasts or for those who want to hike in the wonderful valleys with the mountain in view.

3. Bipenggou毕棚沟

In the shadow of Mount Siguniang is the equally beautiful Bipenggou Ecological Scenic area of Putou Township in Li County, Aba. Also known as Bipenggou Valley National Park, the area is also formed with stunning alpine views of forests, lakes, glaciers, waterfalls and snow-capped mountains providing a feast for your eyes. Some of the notable attractions in the area include Longwang Lake, Bailong Waterfall, Panyang Lake and Hongshi Beach. There’s plenty to see and do all year round, whether you want to hike through the incredible landscapes or ski at the ski resort in the winter. However the most attractive time to go is said to be autumn when forests are tinged with the golden yellow red and orange hues of the season. A hike from Changping Valley of Mount Siguniang National Park to Bipenggou Valley is considered one of the top ten classic hiking trails in all of China.

4. Dagu Glacier达古冰川

Located in Heishui County by the Heishui River of Aba, northwestern Sichuan Province, is the Dagu Glacier Scenic Area. If you’re a fan of snowscapes then this is the place for you as you’ll get to see beautiful glaciers formed millions of years ago surrounded by the Dagu snow mountains in the backdrop. The most visisted and most spectacular glaciers are no.1, 2 and 3, these are also the youngest glaciers and ones at the lowest altitude (3800-5100 meters above sea level) that are closest to the city for a visit (300 km from Chengdu). The breathtaking natural environment has been undisturbed for millenia until its first discovery in 1992, on the way there you can see the beauty of picturesque waterfalls, lakes, forests and meadows, making stops at Jinhou Lake, Fangsheng Lake, Dagu Lake, Lingyun Waterfall, Hongshipo Slope etc. Once there you can take the highest cableway in the world to the elevation platform of Dagu Mountain to witness the amazing views at the top.

5. Ruoergai Grassland若尔盖大草原

Known as the “oasis of the Northwest Sichuan Plateau”, the Ruoergai Grassland is one of the largest grasslands in China with one of the major wetlands in the country. Spreading across four different counties in Aba, Ruoergai covers a huge amount of land territory. It is the home of the Tibetan Zang people who you’ll see live on stock farming. Full of beautiful meadows that blossom in the spring and summer months, the area is famous for its Flower Lake where you can see flowers blooming in the lake, hence its name. It’s also the place where the famed Yellow River begins, here you can see it take its first bend, and the sight is one to behold when the sunset glistens off the flowing current.

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How to get to Aba?

*Aba has two airports: Aba Hongyuan Airport which is 48 kilometers from Hongyuan County. There is no airport shuttle bus, so taxi is best the choice of transport from and to the airport. There are direct flights from and to Chengdu, Wenzhou and Lhasa;

The other airport is Jiuhuang (Jiuzhaigou-Haunglong) Airport which is 12 kilometers (7 miles) north of Chuanzhusi Town, Songpan County. This airport is 88 kilometers from the Jiuzhaigou scenic area. There are only direct flights from Chengdu.

*If you want to see the natural beauty on the way, then a good option would be taking a bus. Chengdu operates two bus lines to Jiuzhaigou, Barkam, Zoige, Songpan, Zamtang and Mount Siguniang.

*Or you can hire a private driver to take you around.

Lastly travelling to Aba is wildly different to being in one of China’s urban cities and you’ll be travelling through lots of mountainous terrain so please do be careful and make sure you do your research before setting off.

Bridges are not only a connection between buildings or roads but also a connection between individuals and between past and present. Some bridges have a long history and some are new, Chengdu in particular is a land full of beautiful bridges showcasing unique modern and traditional architecture, they are not only practical but feature as iconic ornaments enhancing the look and style of the city. With Mid-Autumn Festival and National Holiday upon us, we’re going to look at some of the must-see bridges of Chengdu that you can visit during the festivities. 1. Anshun Lang Bridge (安顺廊桥) The big daddy of them all is the iconic Anshun Lang Bridge of Chengdu, which crosses the Jinjiang River. Any searches of Chengdu on the net and this is sure to be one of the first views you see of the city. The name of the bridge literally translates as ‘the bridge of peace and propitiousness’ meaning to flow peacefully and smoothly without obstacles. And it is indeed a great spot to relax and for a lovely stroll by the riverside. The bridge has a long history and was originally built in 1746 during the Yuan Dynasty. During the 13th century the great explorer Marco Polo came here and noted in his diaries how the bridge left a deep impression on him. The bridge’s design is typical of traditional Chinese architecture and it features waterbeast statues on either side which were believed to prevent floods by the ancient Chinese. After being damaged by a flood, the bridge was reconstructed in 2003 and now houses a fancy restaurant. The bridge looks even more beautiful lit up at night and is located in one of the most popular areas for night life in the city – the Jiuyanqiao area. Besides the bridge is a street filled with bars and restaurants, and it's usually very busy and lively in the evening. On some days, you can even take a boat tour across the river to see the bridge. 2. Wuchazi Bridge (五岔子大桥) The Wuchazi Bridge only opened on the eve of 2020 and immediately became popular and went viral across China due to its unique and elegant design. The pedestrian bridge consists of two bridges to form the infinity symbol, inspired by the moebius strip, creating an infinite meandering path crossing the Fuhe River in the High-Tech Zone of Chengdu. It is representative of the unlimited possibilities that lie in the area and upward trajectory of the city as a trendy and fashionable world location. From above it also looks like the number 8 which is very lucky in China. The bridge connects the Century City Convention and Exhibition Center with the surrounding areas and is a wonderful part of the urban landscape, inviting many phtoographers and internet celebrities. Each evening and particularly on weekends the bridge is flocked with people. The bridge’s purpose was not just to be a practical piece of engineering but a recreational destination. Locals gather here to sit on the steps and relax, listen to music and dance, or cycle on their bikes. A stroll across the higher route of the bridge offers a nice panoramic view of the nearby Global Center. Of course during the night the bridge is also wonderfully lit up, it’s well worth a visit. 3. Chengdu Jiaozi Ring（交子之环） Another of the more recent bridges in Chengdu making it one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the country is the enormously popular Chengdu Jiaozi Ring bridge. In typical China red colour and as the name suggests, the bridge is a ring constructed above a four-way junction in the financial district of the High-Tech Zone, crossing Jiaozi Avenue and Yizhou Avenue. The bridge’s design takes its inspiration from ‘jiaozi’, the earliest paper money in the world, originating in Chengdu during the Northern Song Dynasty. The elegant design of the ring resembles the pattern of the copper coins printed on the ‘jiaozi’ banknotes, and the curves and lines of the bridge show the lightness and softness of the notes. The Chengdu Jiaozi Ring is a multipurpose bridge, not only a landscape bridge for pedestrian crossing but also a public art installation with a thriving art scene. Located opposite the Chengdu Jiaozi Twin towers, forming a new lansdacpe of a ring and two towers on Jiaozi Avenue, the bridge has become a municipal landmark for visitors to come to take photos and watch the extraordinary pyrotechnic light show adorning the twin towers in the evening. 4. Mushroom Bridge（蘑菇桥） You can decide if the next bridge is beautiful or ugly but it’s certainly unique. The Old Chengren Bridge otherwise known as the Mushroom Bridge by locals is not actually old at all but is located next to Old Chengren Road of the High-Tech Zone and crosses the Jinjiang River. Constructed in 2019, it was given its nickname due to its design of two mushroom shaped umbrellas on the bridge deck which are both ornamental and practical. During the summer months you can escape the sun by sitting in the shade on the benches beneath the umbrellas. The unique mushroom umbrella shape is more prominent under the lighting in the night. The pedestrian bridge has solved the pedestrian traffic problem in Zhonghe District and High-Tech Zone, now it takes less than 10 minutes to cycle from Zhonghe to the Software Park, greatly facilitating residents on both sides of the Jinjiang River. For even more bridges in Chengdu, try cycling along the Tianfu Greenway. If you’re interested in teaching in Sichuan or China, we’d love to help , please contact us via [email protected]

China is a country with metropolises full of tall modern buildings with unique architecture and the buildings only keep on getting higher and higher, bigger and bigger. Chengdu is in particular home to some of the most magnificent architectural structures, and today we’ll look at five key landmark buildings and towers in the city that you should definitely take a selfie with. 1. New Century Global Center Did you know Chengdu is home to the largest building in the world in terms of floor area? Located at no. 1700, North Section of Tianfu Avenue, Wuhou District, part of the Tianfu New Area, the structure covers an area of a staggering 1.76 million square meters and is 100 meters tall, 500 meters long and 400 meters wide. It’s a multipurpose building featuring a huge shopping mall, offices, hotels, conference rooms, cinema, an ice rink, a water park and much more. Construction of the global center began in 2010 and was completed in 2013, opening on the 1st July of that year. A fun fact is that the place is large enough to fit 20 Sydney Opera Houses and 3 Pentagons. The scale and development of the building represents the economic and rapid rise of Chengdu now and in years to come. The overall shape and design of the building is based on ‘flying seagulls and undulating waves’ under the background of sunlight and water, you can definitely see this through the curves and lines of the structure. A great place to see the Global Center under the sunset is the nearby Jincheng Lake Park. Global Center is open 10:00 – 22:00 Monday to Sunday and you can take Metro line 1 to Jincheng Square station to get there. 2. Chengdu 339 Television Tower An iconic part of the Chengdu skyline, the Chengdu TV tower soars into sky to 339-meteres high. Located at No. 168 Mengzhuiwan street, Chenghua District, the tower was completed in 2004 making it the tallest tower in Western China. It was primarily built for the TV and radio networks but has since expanded to include a revolving restaurant with a sublime 360 degree parnoramic view of the city. It has become a fixture of the tourism industry in Chengdu. The revolving restaurant is at the height of 213 meters and takes about 40 minutes to rotate in a full circle so you can eat with a beautiful view. It’s a fine dining experience that provides Chinese and Western cuisines. A great way to get there and to observe the splendid vistas is to take the sightseeing observation elevator smoothly and safely all the way to the top within 1 minute. Don’t forget to watch the tower illuminate in different vibrant colours during the evening. At the foot of the tower is also a great shopping, entertainment and night life hotspot with shopping malls, restaurants, bars and clubs. During special occasions you’ll be lucky to see fireworks or lightshows explode from the top of the tower. 3. Chengdu IFS (International Finance Square) Next is one of the must-visit places for tourists and visitors. The Chengdu IFS (Chengdu International Finance Square in full) is an international elite urban complex located in one of the most popular and widely known areas in the city, the core business and commercial district of Chunxi Road, situated on the intersection of two of the most busiest streets, Hongxing Road and Dacisi Road - one of the most fashionable places in town. The building, one of the most advanced in western China, was constructed with an area of more than 760,000 square meters featuring a flagship shopping mall with many designer brands, high-class office building towers, luxury hotels and apartments. For its world leading architectural design, it received the world’s highest honor, the ‘VIVA Design and Development Award’ from the Internshional Council of Shopping Centers ICSC’ becoming the first commercial real estate project in China to do so. If you go to the main entrance of Chengdu IFS, you will see the iconic giant panda sculpture climbing the outside wall with a curious and amiable personality and expression, pleasing and attracting the public’s attention. A friendly and welcoming image, it is an emblematic symbol of the city and province as the hometown of the pandas. You will no doubt want to take a picture. Take the elevator to the seventh floor and come out onto the terrace and sky garden where you can take your selfie with the Giant Panda. 4. Tianfu IFC Twin Towers One of the more recent buildings on the list, having only been completed in 2018, however fastly becoming a synonymous feature of the city is the Tianfu International Finance City Twin Towers which stands at 222 metres high. It is the crowning feature of the Tianfu new area skyline. Two corporate office towers which are not for public entry. However you still get many people who come to the area just to see this wonderful piece of architecture. Especially now that the buildings dazzle with spectacular light shows each night and especially on occasions such as the Chinese New Year Spring Festival. It’s really worth going to see. To get there, all you need to do is take the metro line 1 to Financial City, and as soon as you step out, you’ll be in awe of the towers before you. 5. Jiutian Pagoda Now, the oldest building on this list, is the 13-storey Jiutian Pagoda in the middle of the very scenic Tazishan Park, standing at 70 metres high. This is a great photo opportunity with more traditional Chinese architecture. The pagoda is a wonderful sight surrounded by the natural beauty of the park and also a distinctively recognizable part of the city, showcasing traditional Chinese elements in a modern bustling urban environment. The best time to visit would be spring when the flowers blossom and the teahouses are full with locals drinking tea with a glimpse of the tower. Or during an evening stroll when the tower lights up the night sky. Built at the end of the Sui Dynasty (581 – 618) thousands of years ago, the pagoda was originally called Sanhua Tower and had been lost. However in 1997 the tower was finally reconstructed after two years, however it is still derelict and forbidden for entry and stands as a moument to ancient China. It’s current name was taken from the poem ‘Climbing the Sanhualou in Jincheng’ by famous Chinese poet Li Bai where he writes ‘to climb up and look at it today is like traveling in jiutian". *jiutian according to legend here means the highest point in the sky. It's easy to visit, just take metro line 2 to Tazishan Park station and after a short walk you will find the entrance, entry is free. … That’s are five key landmark buildings in Chengdu. When you arrive be sure to visit and take a selfie and tag us on Facebook (@Teach Discover China) or Instagram (@TeachDiscoverChina_Official). If these sights have got you interested in coming over to teach English in China, this is the right place to be. Check out our jobs board at: https://www.teachdiscoverchina.com/index.php?m=&c=jobs&a=jobs_list If you have any questions, contact us at [email protected], we’d love to hear from you :)